The Department of Natural Resources posted its online report, which shows the most advanced color changes, at 10 percent to 25 percent of peak color, over swaths of northeast, north-central, east-central and south-central Minnesota. The DNR plans to update it by noon every Thursday.

The weekly reports at www.dnr.state.mn.us/fallcolors show percentage of color change, peak color projections, flowers and grasses in bloom, and three parks designated as "hot picks" of the week. This week's picks are Buffalo River and Glendalough state parks in western Minnesota and Judge C.R. Magney State Park in far northeastern Minnesota.

The DNR also offers fall colors "to go" on a mobile website designed for smartphones and tablets.

Fall colors typically peak between mid-September and early October in the northern third of Minnesota, between late September and early October in the central third, and between late September and mid-October in the southern third, including the Twin Cities.

Staffers at Minnesota's state parks and trails have planned a variety of family-oriented special programs and events to coincide with their projected peak color times.